Harper Government Invests to Grow New Blueberry Markets

Note to editors: An image is included with this press release on Marketwire's website.

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz today announced an investment of over $1,700,000 to the Wild Blueberry Association of North America which will be used to market and promote Canadian wild blueberries internationally.

The investment will help the wild blueberry sector to access new, and boost existing, foreign markets. Marketing campaigns targeted at the United States, European Union and East Asia will promote the benefits of using Canadian wild blueberries. In addition outreach to trade representatives and consumers will occur through meetings, trade shows, and incoming missions to Canada.

Quick facts

Formed in 1981, the Wild Blueberry Association of North America has been promoting and marketing Canada's number one fruit export and represents and assists growers and processors in Quebec and the Atlantic provinces.

In 2013, wild blueberries generated close to $196 million in export sales.

Wild blueberry production in Canada has increased to meet export demand which, over the past 10 years, has grown by over $40 million.

The AgriMarketing Program is a five-year, $341-million initiative under Growing Forward 2 that seeks to build and promote Canada's ability to expand domestic and export markets through promotional activities to help position and differentiate Canadian products.

Quotes

"Our Government is committed to growing demand for Canadian blueberries in foreign markets. Today's investment will grow our economy through increased production, more jobs in rural areas and a stronger processing industry in Canada."

- Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz

"For over 30 years, the Wild Blueberry Association of North America Canada has had the mandate to promote the use and consumption of Canadian Wild Blueberries around the world. WBANA Canada members have been fortunate to be able to work in partnership with the Federal Government and with cost sharing programs such as the AgriMarketing Program to increase worldwide demand, continue to develop and expand our Wild Blueberry industry and to create a much stronger rural economy in Canada."